Seborrheic keratosis is a non-cancerous bump or growth on the skin whereas actinic keratosis is very common skin disorder. It is referred to a 'pre-cancerous condition', mostly faced by people who reside in hot climates. Usually, it affects the uncovered areas of the skin.
Keratosis pilaris, on the other hand, is a skin disorder, which occurs due to 'plugged hair follicles'. Hence, it becomes imperative for people to identify symptoms of keratosis to avoid major problems such as skin cancer or brutal skin damage.
Seborrheic Keratosis
A benign and non-cancerous skin problem is Seborrheic Keratosis. In general, experts believe that an individual does develop seborrheic keratosis once in his lifetime. It is seen in people who grow older.
A seborrheic keratosis typically shows as a black, brown, or pale growth either on the face, shoulders, chest, or back. It appears as elevated growth, which is scaly and waxy in nature. Sometimes, there are several growths together, though, generally, it is noticed single. According to experts, seborrheic keratoses normally does not turn cancerous, nevertheless, it looks like skin cancer. Seborrheic Keratosis is painless, yet it is troublesome.
Symptoms of Seborrheic Keratosis
Usually, a seborrheic keratosis has wart-like growth. It can be noticed on the neck, head, or trunk of the body. A seborrheic keratosis:
- Varies in color. It can be of light tan color, brown, yellow, or black
- It is oval or round shaped
- It has a typical feature i.e. it looks as if 'pasted on' skin
- The size of seborrheic keratosis may range between small and 1 inch or sometimes even more than 1 inch.
- Sometimes, you may feel itch on skin around seborrheic keratosis
You should immediately rush to doctor if:
- You find numerous growths over a short span of time on your skin. In general, a person has a single or two seborrheic keratoses over several years.
- There is bleeding from the growths or suddenly you feel irritation.
- There is changes in your skin, which can include sores, discoloration, or the problem persists for longer time and does not heals there could be chances of skin cancer. Hence, you should take medical help. A skin biopsy will help to detect skin cancer.
Treatment of Seborrheic Keratosis
Removing the skin growth is the only way to treat seborrheic keratosis. You can remove it by 3 methods. These are:
- Cryosurgery: You can freeze a small keratosis with liquid nitrogen, which destroys the cell. It is an effective way of removal. However, it does not work on thick and large keratosis.
- Curettage: This method involves rubbing the skin with a specialized surgical device. Sometimes, it is used along with electrocautery.
- Electrocautery: It is a method where seborrheic keratosis is burnt with electric current. This process is lengthy than other processes and may leave scars on skin, if not performed by an expert.
Actinic Keratosis
Actinic Keratosis (AK) is pre-malignant and pre-cancerous. It is also identified as 'solar keratoses', is a lesion of the skin. It is a rough and small spot that occurs on skin due to overexposure to the sun. The lesions can arise on the ears, face (including the cheeks and bridge of the nose), back of the neck, upper chest, bald scalp (in men), hands and the dorsal forearms.
Usually, the size of Actinic keratoses range between 2 to 6 millimeters in diameter. It is typically red in color along with a yellow or white scale on top. Actinic keratosis often leads to wrinkles and superficial blood vessels. If not treated, it may lead to squamous cell carcinoma. Patients of Actinic keratoses have reported pain and sore when clothes or fingers rub against it.
Treatment of Actinic Keratosis
There are methods in which Actinic Keratosis can be treated, which include:
- Cryosurgery: This method is similar for treating Seborrheic Keratosis as well. In this method, Actinic Keratosis is frozen with liquid nitrogen.
- 5-fluorouracil or 5-FU: there are several creams such as Carac cream to heal this skin problem. This method is suited to patients with major sun damage. Once the skin heals, it often becomes even-toned and smoother, reducing actinic keratoses.
- Imiquimod (Aldara): This works by stimulating immune system. It is, in fact, similar to 5-FU.
- Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): In this method, a dye i.e. aminolevulinic acid [Levulan] or ALA is applied on to the skin that sensitizes it to sunlight. The dye is left on the skin for around an hour, and then the skin is exposed to artificial light coming from laser or any other source which helps to stimulate the dye.
- Diclofenac (Solaraze): This is an anti-inflammatory and non-steroidal drug, which is related to ibuprofen (a well-known medication for headache). However, Diclofenac is mild than imiquimod or 5-FU. Hence, it causes less inflammation. It should be continuously applied for around 2 months to attain benefits.